Athens News Agency: News in English, 06-02-13

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Authorities step up efforts to detect 'bird flu'

[02] Papandreou holds talks with Barroso

[03] Israeli president on official visit to Greece

[04] Gov't determined to support new technologies

[01] Authorities step up efforts to detect 'bird flu'

Veterinary authorities around the country on Monday continued to collect samples from dead wild fowl and poultry in the wake of the first positive results of "bird flu" detected in Greece, and specifically in three dead swans found in a border prefecture last week.

Authorities in the greater Athens area were especially concentrating on taking samples from migratory water fowl -- ducks, geese etc. -- with a directive listing preventative measures sent to park officials and hunting clubs.

Authorities in the northeastern border prefecture of Evros, where the infected swans were found, also stepped up testing in the area and continued efforts to disinfect vehicles and trains entering the prefecture from neighboring Bulgaria and Turkey.

Good news, meanwhile, came from the northern city of Thessaloniki, where two individuals that had reportedly come into contact with sick birds over the recent period, before coming down with flu-like symptoms, tested negative for "avian influenza".

The first individual, a 29-year-old man, is a reportedly a duck hunter, while the second, a 15-year-old youth, brought an ailing bird into his home nine days ago. A second round of testing is pending.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[02] Papandreou holds talks with Barroso

He participated in the meeting following an invitation by the Committee's president, to explain his positions on the effectiveness of the European Union's foreign policy.

Speaking to reporters, Papandreou said that in his address he stressed the need for the implementation of decisions taken at the Halkidiki summit, during the Greek EU presidency, regarding the promotion of the European prospects of western Balkan countries.

Papandreou added that the EU's role in efforts to solve the issue of Cyprus, Turkey's European prospects, the Middle East question in the wake of the victory of Hamas in the Palestinian elections and latest developments concerning the handling of the bird flu issue were examined during his meeting with Barroso.

Lastly, referring to the issue created with the publication of cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed, Papandreou focused on the need for freedom of expression and respect for the convictions of the Moslem world.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[03] Israeli president on official visit to Greece

The meeting will conclude with the signature of a bilateral agreement for cooperation in industrial research and development by Development Minister Dimitris Sioufas and Israel's Infrastructure, Science and Technology Minister Roni Bar-On.

Katzav will then call on Parliament President Anna Psarouda Benaki, pay a visit to the National Archaeological Museum and visit Athens Mayor Dora Bakoyianni, who will award him the City of Athens' Gold Medal of Worthy.

On Wednesday, the Israeli president will have successive meetings with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, main opposition PASOK leader George Papandreou, Communist Party of Greece (KKE) General Secretary Aleka Papariga and the president of the Coalition of the Left, Movements and Ecology party Alekos Alavanos.

During his visit, Katzav will also make a stop in Thessaloniki to address the local Jewish community in the city.

He will depart for Thessaloniki on Thursday, where he will lay a wreath at the Holocaust memorial, visit the Royal Tombs and museum at Vergina and speak at the Thessaloniki Synagogue.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

[04] Gov't determined to support new technologies

"We are moving in this direction, completely in step with the goals of the European Strategy i2010-European Information Society, with the aim towards development and the creation of jobs," Sioufas said.

The forum, held in Greece for the first time, is being organised under the auspices of the ministry's National Research and Technology Network (EDET).

More than 400 researchers, representatives of software and telecoms systems manufacturers, and distinguished experts from all over the world will be attending.

Also speaking at Monday's opening session, were Secretary General for Research and Technology Prof. Ioannis Tsoukalas, GGF President Mark Linesch and head of the European Commission's EmergingTechnologies and Infrastructures-Applications Division Ulf Dahlsten.

ANA-MPA Copyright © 2004-2005 All rights reserved.

Athens News Agency: News in English Directory - Previous Article - Next Article